Monument record 1667/1 - Castle Hill motte and ditch system, Oldcastle

Castle Hill. Situated on a spur overlooking the deep valley of the Wych Brook. In 1882, Ormerod noted a number of small hills & on the summit of one were indications of the works of an ancient fortress (1). In July 1957, the felling of trees revealed an impressive earthwork, consisting of a small platform on the crest of the spur c.100ft x 36ft, with well-defined ditch systems along each end. At the SE end, overlooking the river are 3 short transverse ditches, each c.60ft long x 40ft wide & 16ft deep. At the NW end, the neck of the spur is cut by 2 ditches, the inner one being 60-70ft wide. This inner ditch was sectioned by a trench 14ft long x 3ft wide. The fill was clean, undifferentiated clay, 4.5ft deep to the bottom of the ditch. No finds. Trenching on the platform produced no finds, but there were indications of a layer of stone on the natural clay & a possible hearth. Possibly an outpost to the castle at Malpas (2)+(3). Site now covered in woodland c.30 years old (4). Motte castle in strategic position on a narrow promontory formed by a meander of the Wych brook on the England - Wales border. Site comprises Motte c.30m x 11m in a central position along the promontory. The Motte is protected by a well defined system of defensive features including 3 short traverse ditches to the SE river side of the Motte & and a further 2 banked ditches to the NW landward side. Steeply wooded slopes protect the NE and SW sides (6).

In 2014, site had been cleared of tree cover following discusssions with English Heritage.(7)

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Thompson F H 1967 54/5-7 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<3> Cheshire Rural Community Council, 1951-1960, The Cheshire Historian, 8/23 Thompson F H 1958 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3102.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C 1986 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ44SE1/1963 (Index). SCH2487.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13421 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13421 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<7> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Watson, M. 11/06/2014 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.